Pinus contorta

Species

Contorta pine (Pinus contorta) is a long-lived, evergreen conifer that is native to North America. It was introduced to New Zealand for forestry, erosion control and shelter planting and was first recorded in the wild (naturalised) in 1957. The tree grows up to about 20 metres tall and has reddish-brown bark and short, twisted needles borne in pairs. It produces woody cones from an early age, which develop over about 27 months. Many cones remain closed on the tree for long periods of time and may only open after exposure to high temperatures, such as during a wildfire. It does not tolerate shade but tolerates frost, drought, wind, damp conditions and low-fertility soils. It reproduces by seed. Seeds are dispersed by wind.

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